Although audiophiles swear by “lossless” audio files, without compression of any kind compared to the original, the difference to the ear is in reality largely imperceptible.
Gone are the days when we inserted a CD into our portable player before going for a walk, taking care not to shake the device too much. With the emergence of audio streaming services, our way of consuming our favorite titles no longer has anything to do with that of a few years ago. What does not change, however, is the divide between those who only swear by audio files in “lossless” formatwithout loss, and those who assert that MP3 is not that different finally. Who is right and who is wrong? The answer is complex.
Let’s first clarify what we’re talking about here. We talk about lossless music when its file is the same as that resulting from the recording of the artist or group in the studio. It is generally in WAV. The result is voluminous and to overcome the difficulties at the time in sharing it on the Internet, the MP3 format is invented. This is where the idea begins that the file, smaller than the original, has a poorer sound quality. But as BBC radio consultant and audio expert Tony Churnside points out, “compression is designed to remove any data that humans cannot hear properly“.
Lossless music files don’t necessarily sound better than MP3s
In reality, everything is done so that the MP3 file is as high quality as the original WAV. Professionals work “with audio formats of far higher quality than anyone could actually distinguish. But it’s because [qu’ils effectuent] mathematical processes, signal processing on these sounds, and they can lead to degradation“, explains Churnside.
When Amazon Or Apple launch their music “without loss of quality” in the format AT THE C Or FLACthere is still a compression. When playing, an algorithm is responsible for playing the song at its basic quality. Except that this remains completely imperceptible for the vast majority of listeners according to several studies.
Also read – The creator of MP3 offers more immersive spatial sound with this technology
However, they all emphasize that yes, you may possibly hear a difference between a lossless file and its MP3 equivalent, provided you are in an optimal environment. A silent roomno distractions, a advanced equipment and above all, the willingness to focus on spotting differences. If like 68% people according to a recent study by Kantar Media, you use Bluetooth earphones or headphonesyour ears will not see fire.
Source: Gizmodo